Spruceton Road

[Sam]

Hey, It was a little over a month ago the last time I tried accessing Rusk Mt. via the Spruceton Trail. My father and I came very close to the parking area. I would've been fine hiking the extra half mile, or so to the trail head, however my father who recently endured the operation, rehab, and overall assimilation to a new knee was not exactly hip on that idea. They were doing more than just re-grading the road. More like a complete face lift. There is a nice white federal home on the left hand side of the road, near a bridge crossing of the west kill, nice stone walls, right off the road, not set back...this is the furthest we got. Does anyone have an up to date report of this region? Fly fishing season is legally over so my coping mechanisms are begining to crumble, so close to the 3500 club requirements...Usually I drive the long haul from rhinebeck to get a first person trail, road, water, foliage, weather, or what have you report, but I'd rather rely on a friendly Catskill Mountain "yer good to go". Thanks
Sam

[mike]

Yer good to go!

they just opened up Spruceton Road all the way to the end. Finally!

They have also opened up Rt 42. There are some pictures on this site of the land slide.

Rt 47 from Big Indian to Giant Ledge, Slide Mtn, and Biscuit Brook is closed and will probably remain closed through the Winter.

The trail to kaaterskill falls has been repaired and is open.

Have fun! Post a trail report and pictures if you get a chance.

[Sam]

Mike, Thanks for the reply! Means alot to me. I've been dying to get up rusk, sign in, and check out the cliffs that you mentioned in a past post on this forum. I drove up rt. 42 past the barricade, after hiking up Sherill a few weeks ago and took note of the land slide you mentioned. It was near the Parking area for Halcott Falls, which I used to climb Halcott back in August. Parallel to the slide is that great pocket of water. Wow! Reminds me of the Slide I read about near Woodland Valley in Catskiill Peak Experiences by David White. They used to use similar slides to ascend some of the peaks further North in the Adirondacks, Whites, and on Katahdin...Would've been something else to experience first hand from a safe vantage point, but Mother Nature doesn't exactly let us know about these things. Maybe if she sent me a txt, or email I would've been on the scene with a video camera. haha
I'll let you guys know if I reach the cliffs due west of rusk and post some pictures, if i do. Take Care
Sam

[mtnclimber]

I haven't seen the slide on Rt 42 in person, but the pics were stunning!

The ADKs have a few new slides too.